"I’ve heard from the Palace Attendant beside Your Majesty that you were very much favored last night during your service in the bedchamber. Take a few boxes of DongAh Ejiao back and nourish yourself properly. I’m confident that soon you will give birth to a son for Your Majesty, won’t you, sister."
The way Lin Guifei called her sister was more affectionate and sincere than ever before.
But as soon as these words were spoken, she too was dragged into the whirlpool.
For the first time, Princess Consort Yi scrutinized Lin Wanyi, looking at her face, and couldn’t help but smile knowingly.
"The second miss of the Prime Minister’s Mansion is indeed a beauty, but it’s a pity her rank is somewhat low. However, with the Imperial Concubine’s support, I’m sure her rise to prominence won’t be difficult."
These words were in no way inferior to Lin Guifei’s earlier remarks.
One expresses the hope for her early pregnancy and for her to give birth to a son.
The other wishes her a bright future and promising prospects ahead.
Both were pleasant words, but if placed within an ordinary family, Lin Wanyi would undoubtedly feel delighted upon hearing them.
But this was within the palace, where so many women share one man; she didn’t even have to turn around to feel the prickling sensation of being stared at on her back.
Evidently she was just a concubine, yet she managed to stir such hidden currents in the situation.
Her heart harbored both apprehension and an eager desire to quickly distance herself from Lin Guifei and Princess Consort Yi.
But at present, she lacked any means of self-preservation and had to rely on Lin Guifei, so she had no choice but to thank her.
"This concubine thanks Your Ladyship for the kind favor."
She didn’t pledge her loyalty, but the meaning was clear enough.
Lin Guifei received her sincerity and instructed the Chief Palace Maid, Qin He, beside her to personally assist her.
With a wave of her hand, she had her withdraw.
Lady Chu stared at Lin Wanyi with eyes that had transformed from initial aversion to raw envy.
She was clearly the highest-ranking concubine among this newly promoted batch and should have, by rights, been the most favored.
Why did Lin Wanyi, who gained entry into the palace through the "back door," become the object of everyone’s attention?
She couldn’t swallow this grievance no matter what.
Growing up in a military family, she didn’t have all those tricks and schemes, and might not clearly see the underhanded tactics, but the apparent favoritism left her muddled in mind.
If not still within Linzi Palace, she perhaps would have erupted in anger.
With a cold snort in her heart, she thought to handle Lin Wanyi once back at Yihua Palace!
She clenched and unclenched the handkerchief in her hand, while Mu Daying, sitting in the same position as a concubine, furrowed her brows, glancing worriedly at Lin Wanyi.
"Alright, these palace flowers have also bloomed. I have other important matters to attend to, so I won’t keep you sisters any longer. You may all depart."
"Yes, Your Ladyship, I (this concubine) obey the command."
After these words, the concubines rose and took their leave, with Princess Consort Yi naturally being the first to depart, having arrived last.
Lady Chu followed closely behind, completely disregarding the other concubines.
Lin Wanyi had not eaten anything this morning, her nerves on edge several times.
Turning to glance at Xia An, she found worry written all over her face.
"No worries, let’s return to the palace."
Having barely taken a few steps out of Linzi Palace, Lin Wanyi heard someone calling her from behind.
"Sister Lin, Sister Lin."
The voice wasn’t loud, but sounded somewhat childlike.
Turning back, she saw it was the concubine who had sat behind her earlier, though her identity remained unknown.
Judging by the age, she seemed quite young.
So Lin Wanyi halted her departure, asking calmly.
"How should I address this sister?"
"I am Mu from Yihua Palace, just like you, also recently entered the palace to serve."
Mu from Yihua Palace, whom the nanny had mentioned before, was the daughter of the Huaiyang County Magistrate.
Not a high family standing, still quite young, appeared to have barely grown, yet had been sent to the palace to serve.
Luckily, the current Emperor is only twenty-six, not particularly old.
Otherwise, it would truly be a sorrowful scene of old suppressing young.
"Why did Mu call me?"
Lin Wanyi did not react familiarly, so she addressed her as "Mu."
Mu, with a soft demeanor and sweet mouth, approached warmly, calling Lin Wanyi "sister" sweetly, her plump, fair cheeks reminding Lin Wanyi of her younger brother at home.
He also loved to call her sister in this manner, causing her mind to briefly wander.
"Since Sister just entered the palace yesterday, you must not be quite acquainted with everything in the palace yet. I’ve been here a month earlier and have visited the Imperial Garden several times. It’s in full bloom in spring now; I’d like to invite Sister to take a stroll together."
Seeing Lin Wanyi didn’t immediately agree, she quickly added.
"Sister and I both belong to Yihua Palace, and walking around more is beneficial."
Her tone carried some expectation, her round almond eyes clear like a mountain deer, eliciting mercy.
During greetings just now, she had offended Lady Chu.
Lin Wanyi knew this very well.
Both being from Yihua Palace, Lady Chu’s rank being two levels higher, finding trouble with her would be easy.
Connecting with Lin Wanyi now wasn’t exactly a wise opportunity!
Although young, Mu was not entirely without sense.
So she mumbled with her small pout, saying.
"Sister doesn’t know, but before you arrived, Lady Chu also never looked favorably upon me. Since she looks down on me anyway, even if befriending you offends her, I’m unafraid."
She was indeed a straightforward person, revealing her situation right away.
Lin Wanyi scrutinized her, her probing gaze causing Mu to lower her head in mild guilt.
In the harem, Lin Wanyi didn’t believe there could be any sincere sisterly love.
Mu likely chose to accompany her more for her Prime Minister Mansion’s influence and Lin Guifei’s protection, right?
The situation was clear; she was valued by Lin Guifei.
Being with Lin Wanyi was at least better than struggling alone in the harem.
Mu’s thoughts were seen clearly by Lin Wanyi, and just when Mu thought Lin Wanyi would leave in annoyance, she agreed.
Recalling the nanny’s cautionary words, Lin Wanyi also thought palace life wasn’t good alone, making others believe she was difficult to deal with offered little advantage moving forward.
Though Mu’s intentions weren’t pure, hers were like the Lingxiao Flower seeking a stable backing.
This wasn’t an unspeakable thought.
Also being in the same palace meant frequent interactions in the future.
One more ally, one less enemy.
With the offense towards Lady Chu, it wasn’t right to split everyone in Yihua Palace into two camps against her after all.
"In that case, I shall trouble Sister to lead the way."
Without hesitation, Mu raised her head in surprise, eyes gleaming with joy, her tone lifted a notch higher.
"I knew Sister had a good temper and wouldn’t reject me."
With those words, she pulled Lin Wanyi toward the Imperial Garden, animatedly sharing amusing palace anecdotes as they walked.